4G2 THE FILTH OF SIN PURGED [eOOK IV.
by our apostle, with especial respect unto one kind of sin, but may in proportion be extended unto all, 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17, vi. 15-19. Moreover, where this is not, where the soul hath no respect to the defilement of sin, but only considers how it may shift with the guilt of it, innumerable things will interpose, partly arising from the abuse of gi-ace, partly from carnal hopes and foolish resolutions for after- times, as will set it at liberty from that watchful diligence in uni- versal obedience which is required of us. The truth is, I do not believe that any one that is awed only with respect to the guilt of sin and its consequents doth keep up a firm integrity with regard to in- Avard and outward actings of his heart and life in all things. But where the fear of the Lord and of sin is influenced by a deep apprehension of the holiness of the one, and the pollution that inseparably attends the other, there is the soul kept always upon its best guard and defence. 2. How we ought to walk humbly before the Lord all our days. Notwithstanding our utmost watchfulness and diligence against sin, there is yet " no man that liveth and sinneth not." Those who pre- tend unto a perfection here, as they manifest themselves to be utterly ignorant of God and themselves, and despise the blood of Christ, so for the most part they are left visibly and in the sight of men to confute their own pride and folly. But to what purpose is it to hide ourselves from ourselves, when we have to do with God? God knows, and our own souls know, that more or less we are defiled in all that we do. The best of our works and duties, brought into the presence of the holiness of God, are but as filthy rags ; and man, even every man, of himself "drinketh in iniquity like water." Our own clothes are ready to defile us every day. Who can express the motions of lusts that are in the flesh ; the irregular actings of affections, in their inordi- nate risings up to their objects; the folly of the imaginations of our hearts and minds, which, as far as they are not principled by grace, are only evil, and that continually; with the vanity of our words, yea, with a mixture of much corrupt communications; all which are defiling, and have defilements attending of them? I confess I know not that my heart and soul abhors any eruption of the diabolical pride of man like that whereby they reproach and scoff at the deepest humiliations and self-abasements which poor sinners can at- tain unto in their prayers, confessions, and supplications. Alas ! that our nature should be capable of such a contempt of the holiness of God, such an ignorance of the infinite distance that is between him and us, and be so senseless of our own vileness, and of the abomin- able filth and pollution that is in every sin, as not to tremble at the despising of the lowest abasements of poor sinners before the holy God ! " Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith/' Hab. ii. 4.
CHAP, v.] BY THE SPIRIT AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. 463
3. How we ought continually to endeavour after tlie ivasting of sin in tlie root and principle of it. There is a root of sin in us, which springs up and defiles us. "Every man is tempted" (that is, chiefly and principally) "of his own lust, and seduced;" and then " when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." It is " the flesh that lusteth against the Spirit," and which bringeth forth corrupted and corrupting, polluted and polluting fruits. This principle of sin, of aversation from God, of inclination unto things sensual and present, however wounded, weakened, dethroned, imjDaired, yet still abides in all believers ; and it is the foundation, the spring, the root, the next cause of all sin in us, which tempts, enticeth, draws aside, con- ceives, and brings forth. And this hath in us all more or less de- grees of strength, power, and activity, according as it is more or less mortified by grace and the application of the virtue of the death of Christ unto our souls ; and according to its strength and power, so it abounds in bringing forth the defiled acts of sin. Whilst this retains any considerable power in us, it is to no purpose to set ourselves merely to watch against the eruptions of actual sins in the frames of our hearts, in the thoughts of our minds, or outward actions. If we would preserve ourselves from multiplying our defilements, if we would continually be perfecting the work of holiness in the fear of the Lord, it is this we must set ourselves against. The tree must be made good if we expect good fruit ; and the evil root must be digged up, or evil fruit will be brought forth; — that is, our main design should be, to crucify and destroy the body of the sins of the flesh that is in us, the remainders of the flesh or indwelling sin, by the ways and means which shall afterward be declared.